Give the most precious present

Published 21 Oct 2011 09:30 3 Comments

MANY families will face Christmas this year filled with a sense of foreboding; knowing top of the range gifts and a traditionally extravagant menu will be beyond their budgets or at best their celebrations will be very low key.

For most, hopefully, the side effects of the recession and the latest inflation figures will prove only temporary and in years to come they will be able to look back at 2011 as a blip. But for others life is a constant struggle and the future rarely less than bleak.

Certainly this year more families than usual are contemplating having to do without, and that means we will depend more than ever on your fantastic generosity to make the 2011 Toys & Teens appeal its usual resounding success.

The inspiration is the wonderful work done by our friends at Reading Family Aid, not just in this season but all year round.

Between us last year we put a smile on 1,400 young faces on Christmas morning. Please make this year even better.

Tweet

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  The Captain
  Unregistered User
  Nov 2, 11:58
  Report comment

  One would wager the taxpayer is giving these people enough money as it is in benefits. My advice to parents who's brood face disappointment at this time of year is GET A JOB!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 1

• 

  Editor
  Unregistered User
  Nov 2, 12:05
  Report comment

  Happily Captain - or should I say Scrooge - Chronicle readers are much nicer than you. I suggest you sign up as a volunteer to help sort the gifts at the beginning of December and then you, like us, will realise just how much these presents mean to the many desperate and often hidden families in need who live in our community. Our appeal gives to genuine needy families and children in Reading, plus the teenagers - many in supported care - trying to make their way in the world. I hope that your nasty comment only serves to encourage more people to be generous in these difficult times.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 1

• 

  keewii
  Unregistered User
  Nov 3, 23:22
  Report comment

  The issue here is that despite interview after interview, people are unable to get jobs.
  
  I am sure there are people who could and dont try to, but there are plenty who are making a real effort. Encouraging generosity within your own area/town/city/country is becoming extremely important and necessary in these current financially challenged times. Rethink your perspective, and think of the children at the least!!!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 0

Post a comment

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

If you are registered with us, you can login here. If you are not registered, do so now.
Once logged in you wont have to complete word verification each time you post.

Prefer not to register?

Screen Name *required

Email (not displayed) *required

Usernames must be 4 - 20 characters. Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users can also take part in competitions and other features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Opinion archives.

Follow @rdgchronicle